Tamil Nadu police launch drive to trace missing children

Tamil Nadu police launch drive to trace missing children

The Tamil Nadu Police have launched a drive to trace children who have been reported missing from across the State over the past 10 years.

Director-General of Police (DGP) C. Sylendra Babu on Wednesday directed Commissioners/Superintendents of Police of all cities/districts to form special teams led by officers in the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police, Crime against Women & Children, to locate such children.

“All Station House Officers of the police stations and Inspectors of All Women Police Stations should make special efforts to track and trace the missing children and reunite them with their parents,” he said.

Services of the Social Welfare Department and Child Welfare Committees could be sought in making ‘Operation Missing Children’ a success, the DGP said, adding that the rescued children should be reported in 24 hours and a consolidated report should be sent to the police headquarters on June 12, 2023.

According to police sources, a total of 2,280 children, including 1,533 girls, have been reported missing since 2013 and are yet to be traced. Of the 46,255 children reported missing since 2013, 42,989 were traced and reunited with their parents or guardians. The maximum number of children reported missing was in 2022 (6,648), followed by 2021 (6,143), the sources added.

Chennai topped the list with 7,300 cases of missing children, of whom 420 could not be traced so far.